A burial place big enough for Richard III's tomb

Controversy surrounding where to bury Richard III

SIR – While space for a proper tomb for Richard III could be a problem at Leicester Cathedral, there is a large ancient church, St Mary de Castro, quite close to Leicester Castle, which has had royal associations.

There would be space to accommodate a proper tomb. Whatever the circumstances surrounding the king’s death, he is surely worthy of something more than a floor-level memorial stone.

Stafford GarthwaiteOadby, Leicestershire

SIR – In my book Richard III: England’s Black Legend, I describe how the king planned to add a chapel to York Minster, with six altars staffed by a hundred priests who would say Mass for the Dead incessantly. The purpose was stated in his charter for a chapel at Middleham: to be “in part satisfaction of such things as I shall have to answer for at the dreadful Day of Judgment.” It looks as if he wanted to be buried at York.

Barry Naylor, acting dean of Leicester, promises a service that incorporates Roman Catholic tradition. But the Church of England’s Thirty-Nine Articles reject masses for the dead as “blasphemous fables, and dangerous deceits”.